Whatâs the difference between a good mattress and a great mattress? A generic, sometimes-satisfactory model can be found at any mattress retailer, but a great mattress is one selected to fit the sleeperâs personal sleep needs and preferences.
Due to the mattress industryâs overwhelming variety, confusing metrics and high prices, consumers often settle for lessâand not without consequence. At least one out of every three American adults don’t get enough sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which worsens a personâs ability to perform daily tasks and can exacerbate mental health issues and other chronic illnesses.
Casper and Nectar, two popular direct-to-consumer mattress retailers, both advertise the perfect mattresses to support a full and comfortable nightâs sleep. Different types of sleepers, however, may prefer one over the otherâor neither. We compare the two below to help you determine which brand of mattress might be right for you.
Casper vs. Nectar: The Basics
| CASPER | NECTAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Type(s) of mattress(es) | Memory foam mattresses and spring-foam hybrids | Memory foam mattresses |
| Models (Least expensive to most expensive) | Element, Original, Nova and Wave (latter three come in multiple variants) | Nectar, Nectar Premier and Nectar Premier Copper |
| Price range | $495 to $3,495 | $798 to $2,497 |
| Sizes | All models available in twin, twin-XL, full, queen, king and California king 10-inch to 13-inch height range | All models available in twin, twin-XL, full, queen, king and California king 12-inch to 14-inch height range |
| Risk-free sleep trial length | 100 days | One year |
| Warranty details | 10-year limited warranty | âForever Warrantyâ similar to lifetime warranty |
What Is Casper?
Casper is known for selling popular memory foam mattresses directly to consumers delivered in a box. The brandâs mattresses keep every sleeper in mind and include designs for all preferred sleeping positions. Casperâs hybrid mattresses go a step further than the brandâs original model, combining the plush feel of memory foam with traditional springs for bounce and support.
Casper aims to provide its customers with a quality but relatively affordable mattress and an easy buying experience. While most Casper products are sold online, Casper showrooms exist across the U.S. and Casper products are available at select Target stores as well.
What Types of Mattresses Does Casper Offer?
Casperâs selection includes four designs: Original, Element, Nova and Wave. The Original Mattress, Casperâs most popular design, is made in both all-foam and hybrid varieties while the Element mattressâits most basic and affordable designâis exclusively all-foam. The Nova and Wave designs, which are both hybrids, represent the more luxurious end of the mattress spectrum. Each of these two premium designs is also available in a âsnowâ model, which incorporates extra cooling technology in the topmost layers.
What Sizes Does Casper Offer?
Casper offers all of its designs in the six most common mattress sizes, from twin to California king. Its thinnest mattress, the Element, has a height of 10 inches while its most plush version, the Wave, reaches 13 inches.
What Pricing Does Casper Offer?
Casperâs Element mattress costs $495 for its smallest size while Casperâs flagship all-foam mattress, the Original, costs $1,295 for a queen. Its hybrid offering in the Original costs $1,695 for a queen and its most premium option, the Wave Hybrid Snow, costs $3,395 for a queen.
Casper, offers financing through Affirm and advertises rates as low as $61 per month at 0% APR for three to 24 months. Customers can choose from a range of payment terms, including three-, six-, 12-, 18- and 24-month options. Those interested in this option simply select Affirm at checkout.
What Warranty Options Does Casper Offer?
Casper offers a 10-year limited warranty for all mattresses and a risk-free 100-day sleep trial. Customers can also purchase an optional 10-year accident protection plan, which varies in cost based on the mattress selected.
What Is Nectar?
Founded in 2016, Nectar is one of the companies to more recently enter the mattress-in-a-box market. It specializes in medium-firmness memory foam mattresses designed to work well for all sleeping positions and types. Nectarâs line is smaller than those of some of its competitors, instead focusing on straightforward, all-foam mattresses and avoiding hybrid designs. Like Casper, the company relies heavily on direct-to-consumer sales from its website, but it also offers its products through other retailers, such as Macyâs, American Furniture Warehouse and Mattress Firm.
What Types of Mattresses Does Nectar Offer?
The companyâs flagship Nectar mattress, constructed with three foam layers, remains its most popular model. The Nectar Premier uses âphase changeâ foam for its top layer to improve temperature regulation and adds an extra inch of dynamically adjusting foam to its middle layer. The Nectar Premier Copper adds another inch of âphase changeâ foam, uses an extra thick base layer and features heat-conductive copper fibers at the mattressâs surface to enhance cooling.
What Sizes Does Nectar Offer?
Nectar offers its three models in the six most common mattress sizes, from twin to California king. Its thinnest mattress, the Nectar Mattress, has a height of 12 inches while its most plush option, the Nectar Premier Copper, reaches 14 inches.
What Pricing Does Nectar Offer?
The Nectar Mattress, the company’s standard model, costs $1,298 for a queen, and for an additional $400, customers can upgrade to the next model, the Premier. The brandâs most premium mattress, the Nectar Premier Copper, costs $2,098 for a queen.
Like Casper, Nectar offers financing through Affirm with rates as low as $42 per month and a 0% introductory APR. Financing options range from three to 24 months.
What Warranty Options Does Nectar Offer?
Nectarâs âForever Warrantyâ offers more extensive coverage than the warranty plans of Casper and many other competitors. Nectar will replace any defective mattress during the first 10 years of ownership, and after the initial decade of coverage, the company will ârecover, repair or replace.â Nectar also offers a 365-day sleep trial, which it claims is the longest risk-free trial in the industry.
Casper vs. Nectar: Which Is Better for You?
Both Casper and Nectar present and sell their products in similar ways using online direct-to-consumer models and in-store sales, but slight differences in product lines may cause consumers to prefer one brand over the other. Nectar features only memory-foam mattresses and offers just three models, but has faced criticism from consumers on Better Business Bureau (BBB), which rates the company as 1.7 stars out of five. Casper sells both foam-spring hybrid and all-foam mattresses in four models and has received better, but negative also receives a low rating of 2.3 stars out of five on BBB. Nectarâs sleep trial and warranty periods are longer than those Casper offers, but both companies offer mattresses in all major size categories.
Pros and Cons of Casper:
- Affordable options
- Offers all-foam and hybrid models
- Offers mattress options for kids (Element twin)
- Offers support and comfort for side sleepers
- Provides motion isolation for couples
- Overall negative customer reviews from the BBB site
Pros and Cons of Nectar:
- Offers a robust warranty
- Provides a long sleep trial
- Mattresses offer traditional memory foam feel
- All models are medium to medium-firm
- Hybrid models are not available
- Overall negative customer reviews from the BBB site